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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1944)
Weather Vt The Tribune MAIL TRIBUlfl Want Ad Way j Quick RMttlta At Small Colt Forecftit: Continued fair with, warm afternoon and freezing temperatures at nijbt. Temp. Hlsheit yesterday , 54 Lowest this morning ! United Press Full UiMd Win United Press Full Lund Wire Thirty ninth Year MEDFORD, OREGON, THURSDAY MEMBER 14, 1944 NO. 225. j tHaMGBam mmmr m T, Timber Wolves and Gain Strongholds Battle Rages. First Saar With U. S. Seventh Army. Fiance, Dee. 14 (U.R) Amer ican troops drove wilhin less than a mile of the German border tonight near Lauter bourg, seven milet southwest of Karlsruhe across the Rhine. Paris, Dec. 14 (U.R) Amer ican tanks' and infantry today rammed ahead nearly two miles to the western outskirts of the Boer river bastion of Duren, 20 miles SQuthwest of Cologne, and seized the last two fortified towns on the west bank of the Eoer to the north. At the southern end of the 25-mile offensive front south west of Cologne, first army in fantry captured Kesternich, -15 miles southwest of Duren, and plunged almost completely through the Monschau forest on ho past bank of the Roer at a point where the river bends west. 1 j The first army's 83d division was set for a frontal assault on Duren, key to the Cologne plain, with a 3,000-yard advance through the western suburbs of Gurzenich to the rim of the fortress city, which lies astride the Roer. The ninth army briefly re joined the battle of the Roer, capturing the village of Vlch hoven, seven miles northwest of Duren, while the 104th divi sion's Timberwolves finally cleared Schofhoven, a mile to the southeast, after two days of hit atrppl battles. The fall of Vlchhoven and Schophoven cleared the lost two enemy strongholds on the offen sive front north of Duren and put the doughboys along the west banic or me notr w -.nUA tri.trh nf almost 18 miles. TPorthpr smith, the battle of the Saar valley raged on with undiminished fury along a 30 mlle front with no appreciable progress on either side, though three additional American cross ings of the Blies river east of Sarreguemlnes were repui Four more German counter-attacks were repulsed by the third army. ' The Germans also counter-attacked in considerable force against theAllied flank west of "the Rhine some 25 miles below Strasbourg and infiltrated the Amrican 'lines deeply in an at tempt to throw the Allied of fensive off balance before being ousted. Seventh army forces sweeping across the eastern tip of France . continued their northland march, however, and penetrated to within' two miles of Ger many's Palatinate border and three miles of the Siegfried line west of Karlsrov. 78 JAPADllRALS NOW LISTED DEAD By United Press Five more admirals have been nff .Tanan's shrinking list of flag officers, bringing to 78 the number of admirals reponea dead bv Tokyo since last May 17, a dlsnatchfrom the Japanese Dome! news agency reported to day. Dome! said the Yokosuka naval station, largest Japanese home base, announced yesterday that the five additional victims had "died In action," without in dlcatine the dates or circum stances of their deaths. SIDE GLANCES TRIBUNE REPORTERS Dennis Patrick McCann re garding a sideglance reporter with suspicion. Ben Rr-hmidt deciding he bet ter turn down an invitation to have refreshments with a group composed entirely of women. Super-Fortress View of Hirohito's (Acmt Tttephoto) The moated grounds ot Hirohito's Tokyo palace are photographed for the first time by a B-nu cameraman as the glani Super-Fortresses roared ovet the Japanese capital city to uiiluuse deutn aud deslruvuuu 10 the right, the Bumida Klver wuids thruugb tue city, io Keep B-l-set Diazes Hum sliigeuitj the emperor s wnisK irs, the Japs have constructed a huge firebreak, above, right) by clearing a wifle strip thruugli the congest ed area, American airmen have retrained irum Dumbum the Imperial palace. 20th Air Force phbto COAST AniTUDE Washington, Dec. 14 flJ.R) Secretary of War Henry L. Stim son said today that reports of dis crimination on the west coast against soldiers of Japanese an cestry were "wholly inconsistent with the American ideal of de mocracy." : Stimson said he had not heard of such reports until they were cited by a questioner at his press conference. He added, however, that it was Inconsistent with democratic ideals "that these loyal citizens should be subjected to any discrimination." He praised the performance in Eurooean- combat of U. S. sol diers of Japanese descent, adding that nearly 13,000 of them nave served or are serving witn me armed forces. The 100th infantry "battalion. composed largely of men from Hawaii, has been overseas for more than a year, and its com bat record In Italy, Stimson said, was such that it received a unit citation for gallantry. Stimson personally reviewed the battal ion last summer in Itafy. The 442nd combat team, also composed of Japanese Ameri cans, has been fighting with sim ilar courage In the European theater, the secretary said. Hood River, Ore., Dec. 14 (U.R) Names of 16 Japanese- American soldiers were still missing today from the Hood River American Legion post roll of honor despite a growing pro test and the comment of Secre tary of War Henry L. Stimson that such action "was wholly in consistent with the American ideal of democracy." BlfSTlL READY FOR JURY Judee H. K. Hanna this after noon Instructed the jury in the trial of Woodrow Wilson New- burn, charged with statutory rape of a minor girl, and the case was expected to be in the hands of the Jury about 2:30 o'clock. Closing arguments of G. W. Neilson. district attorney, ana of O. H. Bengtson, defense at torney, took up the morning ses sion. Newburn's trial has consumed more time than circuit court of ficials originally planned having been opened Tuesday morning. Eight men and four women make up the Jury. More new wood is grown In the south each year than cotton. JURY TO DECIDE IF CHAPLIN PAPA OF JOAN'S BABY Hollywood, Dec. 14 U.R) Superior Judge Henry M. Willis today ruled that a jury must de termine whether Charlie Chap lin is the father of Joan Barry's chubby baby daughter, and re fused to dismiss the suit on grounds that a blood-test agree ment precluded further prosecu tion. V Hollywood, Dec. 14 (U.R) Wearing the same polka-dot tie that saw him through acquittal of Mann act charges, silver- thatched- Charlie Chaplin today testified as the first witness in Joan Barry's paternity suit against him. Grinning nervously, the Brit ish comedian got only as far as his name and address before op posing attorneys got into such a row that Superior Judge Henry M. Willis asked him to s t e p down again. Who was going to pay the $25 a day for a transcript of pro ceedings for the 14-montns-oia plaintiff his client, Attorney Joseph Scott wanted to know. Allied Headquarters. Philip pines, Dec. 14 (U.R The 77th division struck north up the Or- moc corridor today, tightening a giant American nutcracker gradually squeezing 20,000 or more Japanese back against the northwest coast of Leyte. At the northern end of the corridor, weary veterans of the 32nd division slogged farther south to within less than 15 miles of a junction with - the 77 th, while other forces slowly closed in on the bitterly-resisting Jap anese from hills to the east. . The application of "pressure northward" from Ormoc by the 77th division was disclosed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in his daily communique. A spokesman said, however, that the troops mainly were feeling out the enemy lines and had not yet ge- gun an all-out assault. American shore batteries sank three troop-laden Japanese ships with all hands at point-blank range Tuesday night The ships sailed Into the harbor under cover of darkness, apparently un-1 aware that the port had ben j captured by the 77th division last Sunday. i MMlfSIN TIGHTEN PINCERS ON ORMOCNiPPS Home ALLIED OFFENSIVE TERRIFIC STRAIN ON AXIS PEOPLE Washington, Dec. 14 U.R)- Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson said today that the cur rent Allied offensive in Ger many is placing a terrific strain on the Nazis, depriving them of an expected winter breathing spell and preventing completion of last-ditch mobilization plans. Stimson revealed that supreme headquarters estimated the Ger mans had suffered 152,000 cas ualties between Nov. 8 and Nov 30, an average of almost 7,000 a day. U. S. army casualties In all theaters through Nov. 28, he said, have reached 483,957, in cluding 92,135 killed, 272,351 wounded, 62,786 missing and 56,685 prisoners. This was an increase of 9,059 casualties over figures announced a week ago through Nov. 22. Stlmson's figuret raised over all U. S. war casualties in world war II to 562,468, since the navy has reported casualties of 78,511 through Dec. 13. The navy total includes' 30, 029 dead, 34,503 wounded, 9,493 missing and 4,486 prisoners of war. Stimson said that of the 272 351 army wounded, 126,592 have returned to duty. He also revealed that U. S ground force casualties in Italy from the original landings at Salerno In 1943 through Dec. 9 were 98,366 including 18,888 killed, 67,194 wounded and 12 274 missing. ELKS' YULE PARTY T The Medford Elks' lodge an nual ' Christmas party will be held tonight with dinner served at 5:30 o'clock and followed by games and a fun program. Dr. C. W. Lemery, general chair man of the committee in charge, urges every Elk in the commun ity to attend. Dr. Lemery pointed out that this is a stag party and that Elks were permitted to bring guests Jackson County sales to date in the Sixth War Loan are' "I" Bonds . $459,577 "E" Quota $600,000 Total Sales S2,022,381 UPE VELEZ, FILM STAR, TAKES OWN LIFE, NOTES SAY ear of Becoming Unwed Mother and Broken Love, Inspire Act. . Hollywood, Dec. 14 (U.R) Lupe Velez, fiery Mexican act ress found dead today, of an overdose of sleeping powder, left a note saying that she was taking her life rather than be come an unwed mother. The 33-year-old film star, who only four days ago announced that "all was over" between her and her fiance, French Actor Harold Ramond, left him a note reading: May God forgive you and forgive me too, but I prefer to take my life away and my ba by s before I bring him with shame or kill him. How could you, Harold, fake such great love for me and our baby when all the time you didn't want us." - ' . Dr. Ed Gourson, Beverly Hills police surgeon, said his prelim inary examination indicated Miss Velez had been pregnant. Ramond, who went to the Velez house as soon as he was notified, told Beverly Hills po lice Capt. W. W. White that he had never known for sure whether Miss Velez was to be come a, mother. 'Sometimes she said yes,' sometimes she. said. 'noJ". he said.'-"' . The convent-reared star left a second note to Mrs. Beulah Kin der, her friend and secretary. "My faithful friend, you and only you know the facts for the reason I am taking my life. May God forgive me and don't think bad of me," it read. . "I love you." . ' The actress body wai found, dressed in a white nightgown and lying in bed, ' only five hours after Mrs. Kinder had wished her goodnight. On a bedside table was a nearly empty bottle of sleeping tablets, sitting neatly atop the notes to Ramond and Mrs. Kinder. Coroner Frank Nance ordered an autopsy, but Autopsy Sur geon victor uefalu said that it probably would take several days to complete a blood analy sis and confirm the cause of death. The autopsy was to be performed at Forest Lawn mor tuary, where the body was taken. " Miss Velez, who had flittered back and forth between New York and Hollywood for the past several years, was sched uled to leave for Manhattan again Saturday. War Bulletins Chungking, Dec. 1401,!?) Chinese troops drove a beaten Japanese column more than 25 nflles southward into Kwangsi province today and an American army spokesman asserted there was a strong possibility that the former U. S. air base at Uiuchow may be recaptured from the in vaders. At the same time, Chung king revealed that Chinese forces on the Burma front have penetrated within 120 miles northeast of Mandalay in a surprise thrust menacing both that big Japanese strong hold and the enemy-held sec tion of the Burma road above Lashlo. Rome, Dec. 14 (U.R) Cana dian troops of the eighth army have enlarged their bridge head over the Lamone river northeast of. Faensa after re pulsing several strong coun terattacks and are thrusting ta the north, headquarters an nounced today. By United Press The allied military govern ment in Germany will attempt to return to rightful owners all works of art and objects of scientific or historical value 'stolen by the Nazis in occu pied countries, a proclamation issued in the name of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said to- TRUCE COMES IN GREEK UPRISING, EUSASKTERMS Amnesty and - Inclusion Of Leftists in New Regime Asked of British. Athens, Dec. 14 (U.R) E. L. A. S. forces resumed shell ing central Athens this after noon, breaking a lull during which reports circulated that peace negotiations were about to. end the 11-day battle of Athens. Athens, Dec. 14 U.R) ELAS sources reported today that the EAM had decided to accept terms and evacuate Athens pro vided the British guarantee gen eral amnesty for ELAS men and the inclusion of leftists in a new national government. The report of a decision to end the 11-day battle .of Greece lacked official confirmation. It emanated from the ELAS armed forces of the leftist EAM faction, and said the central com mittee of the EAM had decided to convey its decision to Lt. Gen. Ronald Scobie, British military commander. The peace report circulated amidst a lull in the fighting. There was reason to believe the ELAS forces had lost their last chance of overrunning the Brit ish, who were receiving constant reinforcements, some arriving in spectacular manner.. , EAM acceptance of terms was reported conditioned on Scoble's guaranteeing that a national government would be formed to take over from that of Premier George Papandreou and to in clude a "proper proportion" of leftist. EAM left wingers reported the central committee's decision would be delivered to Scobie by the EAM s secretary, Gen. Mitso Eartsalldes. i It was understood the EAM was not insisting on any parti cular representation In the pro posed national government, pre sumably leaving that to be work ed out after the end of the fight ing. (Roper s report of the arrival of reinforcements in a "spectacu lar manner" was not explained, but suggested the possibility that the British might be rushing in troops by air in a bid for a quick decision in the Greek crisis.) FIVE APPOINTEES ONE TENTATIVELY Washington, Dec. 14 (U.R) The Senate Foreign Relations comrrfittee today approved all six of the top state department nominations by divided votes that included last-minute switches. The nomination of Archibald MacLeish to be assistant secre tary in charge of public and cultural relations won tentative approval when Sen. Joseph F. Guffey, D,, Pa., changed his vote to author-poet's side. Guffey's switch broke a 10 to 10 tie which had apparently defeated MacLeish and made it 11 to 9, The change came after the closed session In which the votes originally were taken had ended. Guffey telephoned his deci sion to Committee Chairmen Tom Connally, D., Tex., while the chairman was conducting press conference relating to the outcome of the session. Latest Fag Trick Onawa, la., Dec. 14 (U.R) Here's the latest wrinkle to com' bat the cigarette shortage. W. W. Lupton, Onawa drug gist, reported this notation at the bottom of a prescription from the Onawa hospital: "Tobacco cigarettes 20. Use as directed." The preicriptioD wai filled HUGE FIRES AND House to House Battle In Suburbs as Odter De fenses Fall. London, Dec. 14 U.R Red army troops battled through the inner belt of fortifications in the eastern and northeastern suburbs of Budapest (against suddenly stiffened German resistance to day, while unconfirmed reports said great fires were sweeping uncontrolled through the center of the city. Bloody hand-to-hand and house-to-house fighting raged all along the edge of Pest,' on the east bank of the Danube, with casualties running high on both sides, and the thunder of heavy cannonading by the massed Rus sian and German guns shook the city. . Both Berlin and Moscow agreed that the battle was mounting hourly In fury as the Soviet onslaught carried deep in to the final hard core of the Nazi defense system. A cryptically-worded Russian communique said the Germans were - "replenishing and rein forcing" their troops defending the approaches to the city, but it did not make clear whether they were afresh units rushed down from Austria or reserves drawn from the Budapest gar rison. Marshal Rodlon Y. , Mallnov- sky's Second Ukrainian army stormed and captured eight towns and three railway stations on the immediate outskirts of Pest yesterday after a desperate all-day struggle that pushed their mam columns within eight miles of the city on the east and six miles on the north. Armored spearheads were operating well beyond tjie main body, however, and may already have Infiltrated the streets of Pest proper. ALLIES AGAINST T PURGE E London, Dec. 14 U.R) Al lied leaders mapping the post war control of defeated Ger many were understood today to have rejected flatly the so-called "Morgenthau plan" for the de struction of all Nazi Industry and spurned all blood-thirsty proposals for a gieat purge of the German people. Reliable sources said postwar Germany would be permitted to retain her non-war Industries under stringent Allied control to be exercised by a "relatively small' occupation army. But the same policy also calls for the complete demolition of Germany's economic power to stake war. According to inese sources, the policy-makers feel the "Mor genthau plan," calling for de struction of Industry and con version of the relch into an agri cultural nation, Is unworkable on grounds it would drag the victorious nations into the un wanted task of trying to keep 20.000,000 Germans from starv ing to death. Likewise, all proposals for purging the German population have been discarded, but there has been no relaxation in de mands for the full punishment of war criminals, it was learned. SPT Southern Pacific officials said today that the northbound pas senger train struck an automo bile at the 11th street crossing at approximately 7:50 o'clock last night. The occupant of the car was was uninjured, the report said, but the car was considerably damaged, BANGKOK BASES TARGETS0FB-29S Photos Show Precision Hits Leave Smoking Ruins In Daylight Raids. Washington, Dec. 14 (U.FO Direct hits scored in daylight precision bombing left smoking destruction in three highly im portant Japanese - war centers after yesterday's Superfortress attacks on aircraft facilities at Nagoya in Japan, marshalling yards at Rangoon in Burma, and the transportation hub of Bang kok in Thailand, the war de partment reported today. Some 100 B-Z8s from Saipan scored repeated direct hits on the Mitsubishi aircraft plant at Nagoya, a 20th air force com munique said, and a few hours later a substantial force" ot Superforts from Indian bases hit Rangoon and Bangkok, One B-29 failed to return from the Nagoya raid, the communis que said, and must be presumed lost. Nothing was said of any losses in the other attacks. Of the Nagoya attack the com munique said: "Precision bombing by the sizable force of B-29s was aided by clear weather with little or no cloud cover. Crews return ing from the daylight mission reported good results. Direct hits were observed on the Mitsubishi aircraft plant and numerous bomb bursts were seen in the Eteas adjacent to the main tar get. Large fires were visible as Superfortresses headed home ward for their Saipan base." The raids on Bangkok and Rangoon were aimed at trans portation targets. Excellent re sults were reported at Rangoon where the railroad marshalling yards were attacked in clear weather. Important military transporta tion facilities were the targets) at Bangkok. Good results were ' reported despite considerable cloud cover. Meanwhile, Tokyo reported a new Superfortress nuisance raid on the Japanese capital. Reconnaissance photos of yes terday's record blow against Nagoya showed at least 40 di rect hits on the Mitsubishi air craft works. Reports from 21st bomber command headquarters in Sai pan indicated that damage by more than 100 of the B-29s on Mitsubishi's Hatsukodi assembly and production plant on Honshu island was extensive, with fires and explosions heavily damaging precision machinery vital to the enemy's aircraft production. Photographs showed bombs scattering debris and dust among the low assembly buildings. Many near misses which would cause blast damage to the struc tures also were shown. The wa ter works and filter system were hit. - One picture alone showed 40 direct hits, indicating clearlv where the bombs penetrated the roofs of buildings and exploded Inside. Although the concrete and steel factory buildings, packed with machinery, probably help ed to minimize the number ot firea set by the raiders, many photographs showed smoke fun nelling skyward. Headquarters spokesmen said the raid undoubtedly was the most , effective of five staged against military objectives on Honshu, the main Japanese home Island. Photographic cov erage was of the best because of clear weather over the target. Today's assault against mill, tary targets in Thailand was by Superfortresses based in India. LOADINGS DROP Washington, Dec. 14 (U.R) Loadings of revenue freight in the week ended December 9 fell 14.708 cars to 793,554 cars, the Association of American Rail roads disclosed today. SHASTA STORAGE Sacramento, Dec. 14 (U.R)-' Water storage behind Shasta to day reached a record 1,283,000 acre-feet, the Bureau ot Reclam ation reported today.
